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MIAMI, FL – (February 3, 2007) – Dallas Cowboys' Michael Irvin was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday despite a troubled past, though retired NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue was denied entry by voters.
Also chosen were offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, defensive back Roger Wehrli, running back Thurman Thomas, and two nominees of the veterans' committee – tight end Charlie Sanders and guard Gene Hickerson. Retired NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue was conspicuously denied in today's election. Irvin, who has three Super Bowl rings from the 1990s and five Pro Bowl appearances, pleaded no contest in 1996 to felony cocaine possession and was again arrested on drug possession charges four years later, though prosecutors later dismissed his case. Inductions will take place Aug. 4-5 in Canton, Ohio, with the Steelers and Saints playing in the annual Hall of Fame game. Nominees Andre Reed, Richard Dent, Art Monk, Derrick Thomas, Bob Kuechenberg, Fred Dean, Ray Guy, Russ Grimm, Andre Tippett and Gary Zimmerman failed to garner sufficient votes for the Hall. Irvin ended a storied career with 750 receptions for 11,904 yards and 65 touchdowns. Thomas was the NFL's most valuable player in 1991, and gained more than 2,000 yards on the ground in season dominated by passing. At the time of his retirement in 2000, he was sixth in all-time in career yards from scrimmage. Matthews played 19 seasons with the Oilers/Titans franchise. At retirement in 2001, he had logged in more games than any positional player in NFL history. He was the only player elected on his first ballot. Wehrli was a five-time All-Pro cornerback and member of the 1970s all-decade squad, and played 14 years with the St. Louis Cardinals. Sanders played a decade for the Lions on his way to seven Pro Bowls in the early 1970s. Hickerson was the heart of the Browns offensive line for 15 seasons and has been eligible for 29 years. |
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